The project launches the operations of Finland’s Competence Center for Social Innovation as part of an EU-level network of competence centers.
The center promotes the creation, dissemination and adoption of sustainable social innovations and strengthens the innovation capacity of the actors involved. In addition, it operates as part of a European network of National Competence Centers for Social Innovation, collaborates closely with the Community of Practice for Social Innovation, and develops sustainable cooperation between different centers of expertise at the EU level.
Goals
- Provide guidance, information and support to actors who participate in or promote social innovations.
- Strengthen the competence and innovation capacity of ecosystem actors in social innovation.
- Collect, validate and promote social innovations.
- Provide information on various funding opportunities.
- Develop a long-term vision for the centre of expertise.
- Co-develop the national social innovation strategy and support its implementation in Finland.
- Communicate and make visible the results and impact of social innovations across different administrative sectors.
Implementation
The project is carried out as part of the International Network for Social Innovation Scaling and Systemic Transformation (INSISST) consortium together with Belgium, Denmark, Ireland, Poland and the Czech Republic, and in cooperation with national social innovation ecosystem actors.
INSISST Consortium:
- Sociale Innovatie Fabriek, Belgium (coordinator)
- Rethink Ireland, Ireland
- Genio, Ireland
- Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, Czechia
- Akademiet for Social Innovation, Denmark
- Fundacja Stocznia, Poland
- Innokylä / Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare (THL), Finland
Throughout the project, actors’ competence will be strengthened and knowledge shared in various workshops, clinics, events and meetings. Tools will be developed to support development and evaluation work, and forums will be offered for dialogue between actors.
Through the website built within Innokylä, compiled information will be shared on, among other things, evaluated innovations and funding opportunities. The project also aims to influence innovation policy through communication, particularly by highlighting the social and economic benefits of innovations and by emphasising the importance of presenting results and disseminating high-quality information.
Funding
European Union, ESF+ Social Innovation+ Initiative
Partners
Association of Finnish Local and Regional Authorities, Diaconia University of Applied Sciences, Finnish Federation for Social Affairs and Health (SOSTE), Metropolia University of Applied Sciences, Rehabilitation Foundation, Silta-Valmennusyhdistys
Contact details
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